9. Anastasia Ashley

Surfer – USA

Anastasia Ashley grew up on the beaches of North Shore of Oahu and California. She had been swimming since the age of two, body boarding when she was four and surfing when she was six. She started competing when she was only seven years old and eventually went on to win over 200 amateur events.

She finally turned professional surfer when she was 16. She broke into mainstream media has been on MTV, FX, ESPN, Access Hollywood and NBC.

10. Alex Morgan

Soccer – USA

Alex Morgan started playing soccer when she was ten years old in Souther California. By the time she was 21, she was the youngest member of the 2011 US World Cup team. She competed in the 2012 Olympics and helped the US win the gold medal and named the US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. She hopes to repeat her victory again in the 2016 Olympics.

Pole Vault – USA

12. Maria Sharapova

Tennis – Russia

Born in Nyagan, Russia, she started playing tennis when she was a little girl and turned pro when she was only 14. She was ranked as one of the top 5 female tennis players despite having an injured shoulder in 2007.

This isn’t the first time she’s competed in the Olympics. In the summer of 2012, she won a silver medal in the women’s singles. She is currently ranked 6 in singles and plays $36,766,149 in prize money since she started playing April 19, 2001, professionally.

“I hit my first tennis ball on this court when I was four years old, so it holds a special place in my heart.”

13. Kelsey Robinson

Volleyball – USA

Born and raised in Illinois, Kelsey Robinson quickly grew to love volleyball. At 6’2″, she is a valuable player for the US women’s national team.

At the young age of 24, she has an exciting road ahead. Rio 2016 will be her first Olympics.